Washington: Meeting a long-pending demand of the Sikh community, the US has allowed career-long religious accommodation for them to serve in the armed forces while maintaining their articles of faith like the turban and beard. “We are a stronger nation, and a stronger military because of our respect for religious and personal freedom,” Congressman Joe Crowley, who spearheaded the campaign on behalf of Sikh Americans, said. As of now, Sikhs and others must be granted an accommodation, or permission, to serve in the US army while maintaining their articles of faith. Such accommodations are neither permanent nor guaranteed. Service members have also been required to remove their articles of faith while accommodation request is pending, subjecting them to the difficult position of choosing between their faith and their job. PTI